Atlantic Beachlife

What about Bob?

Bobby Brady, that is.

If you love Scrabble and The Brady Bunch, then this hand-made mosaic belongs in your home.  I’ve seen it twice, displayed at arts events and it is clever and unique.  It’s waiting, I know, for just the  right person: it has to be someone who is passionate about Scrabble, who grew up with the Bradys and who appreciates art.  This is a conversation piece, whimsical and beautifully set.  If I was the artist, I wouldn’t sell it to just anyone. It’s far too unique to go to someone who didn’t fully understand the piece.  Have a look, and if you’re interested, I’ll make contact with the artist for you. (No, it’s certainly not me.  I could never create something so artful and amusing.  If only…

I did, however, create these:

I’ve loved MOS long before it displayed the Atlantic Beachlife and Jacksonville Beachlife tee shirts.

 But here is where you can find them and they’re the perfect fit for her shop: interesting, eclectic, unique items for your home, a few distinctive things to wear, plants for your tabletop and plants for your landscape, wonderful accessories to trim your home all year around – really, the perfect browsing shop.

I arrange activities itineraries for visitors sometimes and it’s fun to put together a shop-the-beaches tour.  The first time I did this was for a group of auto dealer wives, and MOS was one of our stops.  I started going there again regularly this Fall, when I found her new location.  I love to just wander the place, looking for inspiration.

Being able to pick up a little something special is what I value about the sole proprietor boutique store, and that’s what I love about being in this shop. Everything there is distinctive and is displayed with such a  creative twist.  I’ve watched Lourdes work with  customers – she’s got an easy rapport with people – and they leave the store with a great gift or thing for their home, wrapped up prettily, and mighty pleased, too.  Because you’re not going to find these cool pieces or a creative partner at Home Goods.  And, you sure aren’t going to find your Beachlife tee shirts at any other store besides MOS.

MOS is a  shopper’s gem, but seriously, don’t worry if the whole shopping thing just overwhelms you.  It’s the perfect venue for the non-shopper too. If you need a gift, or just want something new for your home or garden, go over to MOS and put yourself in Lourdes’ hands. She’ll set you up with whatever you need in short order and you’ll be on your way in no time: mission accomplished, happy, and carrying something interesting.  I love shops like that, too, when I’m not in the mood, or in a terrible hurry but need something good. 

…. is the last person to comment before midnight (and thank goodness, otherwise I’d be shipping an Atlantic Beachlife tee shirt to the U.K., sorry Sammi!).  I used Random Number Generator but for the life of me I couldn’t figure out how to import it to show you that I really am honest; I’m not all that experienced doing giveaways and whatnot and the winner really is number 8.  Tami and she says she is like me, she likes her shirts to fit longer and snugger, too. A girl after my own heart.

In other exciting tee shirt news I now have Jacksonville Beachlife tees also available which will only be of interest if you live around here!  Cost: $21.99.  Message me if you want them before Christmas!

I have the shirts exclusively at MOS (one of my very favorite boutiques at the beach, a great vibe)  It’s just twelve blocks west of the ocean on the north side of Beach Blvd. 12th Street South is developing into a trendy little shopping street.  Two doors down is the new Elie Bing, vintage and current jewelry and accessories, always fresh and one-of-a-kind.  It’s a tucked-away street but not for long.  There’s foot traffic in and out of MOS (aptly named My Own Store by Lourdes, who seems to know all of her customers, and they,  her;  as they come in looking for  a they-don’t-know-what and leave with something Lourdes helps them decide on.  I know; I’ve spent more than a few dollars there.

Introducing my first run of the series of ‘beachlife‘ tee shirts starting with ‘atlantic beachlife‘.  ‘neptune beachlife‘ and ‘jacksonville beachlife‘ are being worked up by my graphic designer right now!

I’m a stickler for fit, and these tees are ones that I am willing to wear in public. The tee shirts shown are styled for women and are form-fitting   without being too tight.  The white ones are Soft Style, Ring Spun by Gilden. They weigh 4.5 ounces, have a nice crew neck, and are longer-styled. They seem to run small, and they do shrink the first time they’re washed and dried.  The fit is fantastic.

I’m showing the tan-colored shirt because I’ve got some  American Apparel on order, in a cream color.  The fit of this shirt didn’t pass the Jeannie test, so I won’t even foist it off on you in a giveaway!

For the guys, or girls who prefer a traditional, roomier tee shirt, I have ordered some heavier weight Gildan tee shirts and the logo can be put on the back or the front.  I also have some Gildan Men’s slim fit shirts en route. I’m looking forward to the arrival of the American Apparel and other styles of Gildan, and making them available in colors and with neptune  and jacksonville beachlife on them.

Interested?  Well, I’m going to give one of them away, just for fun.  Let’s keep it simple: leave a comment if you want one, and feel free to give me some feedback.  How do you like your tee shirts to fit?  Do you even care? What type of tees do you like to wear?

I’ll let this giveaway go run until Thursday (December 17)  at midnight, when I’ll use the random number generator to pick the winner. If you prefer your shirt to have the ‘neptune beachlife‘ or ‘jacksonville beachlife‘ logos just let me know.

You may leave your contact information in the comments section or email me at jeannie@atlanticbeachlife.com, and do leave a comment here if you want to win one of these cool tees!

Because she loves to create snippets of beauty in her spaces, she designs for herself and no one else.  She doesn’t save the best only for her public places; she attends even to corners that no one but her will ever see.  She enjoys creating beauty from things that are meaningful to her, or just plain pretty.

She once argued with her husband about the value – to her – of keeping a lamp lit in her powder room during the day.  He: irritated by her wastefulness.  She: in despair that he did not realize how the lamplight transformed the half bath into the architectural space it was designed to be.  Rooms crave personal accoutrements to give them life, to personalize them.  Besides, it made her happy every time she passed by that room…the warm glow of the lamp drew her in, if only visually, and with it, it seemed her house had gained a whole other room.

Perhaps only someone with similar sensibilities can understand this.

Today she created another pretty little place, where it once was merely utilitarian.  It started as a way to give her lovely orchids a humid environment to steep in after her showers, to caress their fragile blooms.

So she will love it in its new, permanent location, and soon transplant it to a slightly larger terra cotta pot.  It will adorn her most private, corner shelf and she will enjoy showering with it until it blooms again next year.